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New law allows Colorado hemp crop

SPRINGFIELD — Springfield farmer Ryan Loflin is now watching over one of Colorado’s first industrial hemp crops in almost 60 years.

The passage of Amendment 64 in November allows commercial growing, even though hemp, like marijuana, is illegal under federal law.

Hemp is genetically related to marijuana but contains little or no THC, the drug substance in marijuana. Hemp has dozens of uses in food, cosmetics, clothing and industrial materials.

According to the Denver Post, Loflin began planting 60 acres on acreage previously used to grow alfalfa on Monday. He and business partner Chris Thompson also are installing a seed press to produce hemp oil.